Radio show adds to SCORE's reach in South Florida

What: Thompson is a volunteer and chairman of Broward SCORE Chapter 17. Chakrabarty, also a volunteer, serves on the executive committee.

Recently, the chapter launched a half-hour radio show to highlight SCORE's services to entrepreneurs and small business owners in South Florida. SCORE already provides a suite of online resources, including cyber counseling.

Radio, in addition to Twitter and Facebook, is another way for the chapter to broadcast the availability of its 35 volunteers.

"This is a new venture for us," said Thompson. SCORE is established in the business community as a provider of free workshops, seminars and face-to-face counseling.

It's free advertising for guest clients that appear on the show; and good testimonial for SCORE, says Chakrabarty."We get feedback and inquiries," he said. "The goal is to be relevant and useful to our audience."

The back story: Hoping to get the ear of the business person on the go, the show "SCORE", airs on radio station WZAB, 880-AM at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, and reaches about 30,000 listeners.

The chapter has tapped Patricia Maldonado of Little Fish Media LLC for their publicity and to coordinate show appearances of guests, counselors and experts who discuss starting a business; planning, and finance strategies. Clients review obstacles they navigated with SCORE's assistance through a variety of workshops, including the four-part Quick Start seminar series.

One Quick Start graduate and recent radio guest is Goda Marcinkeviciute, 24, a business administration graduate student at NOVA Southeastern University. She worked with a counselor to vet and layout her plan to start her "green" niche company, EcoSmart Facilities.

"I had an idea, but in this economy, I didn't want to take too much risk," said Marcinkeviciute. The radio spot enabled her to show appreciation to SCORE and further her message about its value. "I had a lot of doubts, and I wanted to encourage others to go through SCORE programs," she said. "It's much smarter to seek out a mentor."

The take away: Repackage your message to get the word out about your business and services, says Thompson. That's what SCORE is doing as it finds different ways to broadcast its resources, volunteers and mission of helping grow small business.

"The over-arching thing is; how do we get the message out to small business," said Thompson. "We have a whole bunch of people that have a whole lot to give."

Marcinkeviciute agrees. Clients that develop mentorships with their counselor increase business success, she says. "I'll stay connected," she said. "It's a life-long relationship if you want it to be."

Resources

Lead by example. SCORE's own journey through tough economic times and technological advances has provided opportunity for change -- a view they encourage small business owners to consider, says Thompson. Make it a priority to provide and train employees and volunteers to use social media tools and other resources.

Have a strategy. Be ready to react to feedback, respond to clients. Providing motivation and outlets, like workshops and the radio show, give volunteer counselors a forum to spotlight their expertise.

Provide value, says Thompson, who gives his clients the admonition, "your ideas and plans are useless if you don't do something about them and give your clients good customer service."